Craig Lindvahl is 2015 Citzen of the Year

Longtime educator and award-winning composer and filmmaker Craig Lindvahl has been selected the 2015 Effingham Citizen of the Year.

Lindvahl's selection, which is presented each year by the Effingham Daily News, was announced at Saturday night's Effingham County Chamber of Commerce Business Recognition Gala. Ironically, Lindvahl was serving as emcee for the evening, so some behind-the-scenes maneuvering was necessary to keep the host from learning he was the honoree.

Lindvahl most recently is gaining acclaim for establishing the Effingham County CEO Class and now expanding the program throughout the Midwest.

Lindvahl was a music teacher in the Teutopolis school district when he began making films and established Callan Films as his production company. He teamed with another local educator, Joe Fatheree, on a series of films that garnered a number of Midwest Regional Emmy Awards and has gotten air time on PBS. Lindvahl's documentary on minor league baseball has been shown on MLB.TV.

CEO, or Creating Entrepreneurial Opportunities, is designed to help students learn to establish their own business and the ins and outs of making their enterprise a success.

While no children were born to Lindvahl and his wife Beth, another longtime Teutopolis teacher, they have "kids" all across the nation in former students who still keep in touch on a regular basis.

Lindvahl recently published a book, "Things You Wish You Knew Yesterday (and Other Stuff You'll Need to Know Tomorrow)", based on his experiences with CEO and his 30+ years in education.